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Redevelopment foes win in St. Pete Beach

Incumbent District 1 Commissioner Deborah Martohue lost to newcomer Mike Finnerty in voting Tuesday.

By PAUL SWIDER
Published March 14, 2006

ST. PETE BEACH - In what could be seen as a victory for opponents of the city's redevelopment plans, incumbent District 1 Commissioner Deborah Martohue lost to newcomer Mike Finnerty in voting Tuesday. In District 3, Commissioner Ed Ruttencutter, a favorite of those opposing the city, kept his seat against Chris Leonard.

Finnerty, a wine importer and former golf pro, upset Martohue, a land use lawyer, taking 60 percent of the vote. Ruttencutter, a retired engineer, won with 62 percent over real estate executive Leonard.

Both races were intertwined with the ongoing controversy of the city's redevelopment plans. Residents opposed to them campaigned vigorously for Ruttencutter and against Martohue, a promoter of the plan.

In Indian Rocks Beach, Mayor Bill Ockunzzi was narrowly re-elected. In a field of six candidates for three seats on the commission, incumbent R.B. Johnson got the most votes, while appointed Commissioner Jean Scott lost to Ed Piniero, a former mayor and commissioner, and Jose Coppen, chairman of the Board of Adjustment.

Indian Rocks Beach voters rejected two referendum questions - one calling for approval of a mixed-used project that would include a Publix grocery store and high-end condominiums, and the other asking voters if they were willing to help pay for undergrounding utilities on neighborhood streets.

In Madeira Beach, incumbent Commissioners Arnold Alloway and John Wolbert held onto their seats, both with 53 percent of the vote. Voters passed two referendum questions to amend the city charter, one by changing how candidates qualify for election, the other by removing outdated language.

In Seminole, first-time candidates won two of three available seats. The fate of the third was in doubt late Tuesday. Incumbent John Counts, with 666 votes, was eight ahead of the other incumbent, Bob Matthews, who had 658. But a hand recount was in the works.

In Treasure Island, Mary Maloof won a second three-year term as mayor, defeating lawyer J.D. Hadsall. Alan Bildz easily defeated Don Callahan for a second City Commission term.

In Belleair Beach, voters returned only one incumbent, Jeff Coulson, and elected two newcomers, Richard Crowl and Mary Schoonover.

Redington Shores voters elected Jody Armstrong, a commissioner, to replace retiring Mayor J.J. Beyrouti. John Branch, appointed to the commission several months ago, won election, defeating former Town Administrator Don Lusk.

Indian Shores voters filled their one open seat with Marlene Clausen, a retired elementary school teacher and college instructor. Jim Lawrence, who was unopposed, replaces retiring Mayor Don Taber.

In Kenneth City, Al Carrier and Wanda Dudley received more votes than former council member Russ Dumont.

[Last modified March 14, 2006, 23:42:02]